Letting the insults roll past him, Tony grinned at his hulking deputy. While not quite as tall as Tony, the former Marine was heavily muscled and had a face the angels must envy. Not pretty, but handsome enough to stop traffic. Tony did covet his hair—thick, dark and glossy as mink fur. The picture he presented with his pink rimmed eyes and the dainty hanky was just too much. “Go on back to the car or home or wherever you have to go to get rid of the sniffles.” Then he added in a laughter-tinged voice meant for only Wade to hear, “And get yourself a handkerchief with fewer frills. This one clashes with your uniform.”
Wade looked at the piece of cloth he had pressed against his face. “What is this?” He held it at arm's length and frowned.
“Been near Miss Flossie today?” Tony guessed. Miss Flossie Lewis was as gentle and genteel a soul as ever lived, but she did have her ways. She liked to take things, but she would always replace what she took with another item. If the person realized what had happened before Flossie traded it with another person's belongings, she was always amenable to a direct exchange. If she traded it away, she wouldn't have any idea what had happened or even whom she had been near. Sunday dinner at the River View Motel Coffee Shop was the unofficial place and time to make the appropriate trades.
“I carried her groceries into her kitchen this morning.” Wade lightly touched the embroidered violets with his fingertip as if making sure they wouldn't break. “I'll wash this before Sunday.” Cautiously he lowered his hand and patted his holstered gun before exhaling a sigh of relief. “I'll just wait in the car for you.” His own handkerchief was in his pocket. As he walked away, sneezing and checking his handcuffs, his pockets, and the tools of his trade, he was mumbling, “I wonder what she took from me?”
By the time Tony got home, Theo had been there for a couple of hours. The boys had walked to the shop, and Gretchen drove them all to the house on her way home. Theo watched, from her spot in the kitchen, as her husband stopped just inside the front door and stood as if he was absorbing being there. Tony looked beat.
The house was filled with pleasant sounds. Behind her, Chris was giving his brother advice as Jamie played some computer game. Theo enjoyed the sounds of the game itself. It had a bright little tune. Daisy dashed up to greet him, and he rubbed the golden retriever's ears between his fingers and dodged her doggy kisses.
He looked up. “She smells like she's been playing in the creek.”
“She has.” Theo adjusted the frilly pink apron his mom had given her. It contrasted with the worn sweatpants and the oversized red and gray flannel shirt she'd stolen from his closet, still saving her new clothes for work. She sat at the kitchen table working on her lists. The main list, along with the master calendar, was in the full-sized notebook recycled from college. Other lists of varying sizes were written on an assortment of colored sticky notes.
“What's all this?” Tony leaned over her shoulder and picked up a sticky note designed to look like a miniature yellow legal pad. “I doubt the Allies preparing for the Normandy invasion required this much paperwork.”
“That's because all they had to contend with was the weather and the Nazis, whereas I will have some strong personalities under the same roof all weekend long.”
“Nobody says whereas.” Tony kissed the back of her neck. “You could always stay here with me.”
“No, I'm an adult. I can do this.” She reached around him and tugged at the snap holding the handcuffs on his belt. “But just in case, do you have a couple of extra pairs that I could borrow?”
“Just use the old whip and chair trick. If it works on lions and tigers, it should work on a couple of middle-aged women.”
“Hah! Wild animals are wimps compared to these women.” She stood up and gave him a kiss. “Why don't you go and change and I'll get dinner finished. Then you can give me all of the details.”
Tony nodded and left the room.
A minute later she heard the sound of him locking his gun in the safe. She put her lists away and set the table.
Tony barely sat down to eat when his cell phone rang. A glance at the screen sent him into the hall, away from the dinner commotion. A call from Doc Nash at this hour could not be a good thing.
“Tony, we've got a real problem.” The doctor cleared his throat. “Weevil Beasley died from an overdose of medications.”
“Tell me it was an accident.”
“Nope. I'm afraid Mr. Beasley was in complete control of his mental faculties. In short, he knew how and when to take his medications.”
“So we're left with . . .” Tony's words slowed to a stop.
“Yep, homicide or suicide.” The doctor cleared his throat. “I don't suppose you found a note of any kind?”
“No. There was an unpleasant phone message from someone hoping he'd die.”
“Weevil was never interested in being popular.” The doctor sighed. “I'm afraid I need more information before I can finish the death certificate.”
Tony headed for his antacid stash. It wasn't what he wanted for dinner. “Was Weevil his real name?”
“Yep. I'd guess it was part of the reason he was such a cranky old soul. How'd you like to be named for a bad bug?”
As he disconnected the call, Tony thought his being named Marc Antony for an ancient Roman sounded just dandy. As he climbed the stairs to put his uniform back on, he called dispatch and asked for Wade, Mike, and Sheila to meet him at Mr. Beasley's house. Maybe the four of them could find the truth.
Theo handed him a sandwich as he left the house.
By the time he reached the Beasley house, he'd eaten half of the sandwich. He finished the rest, standing in the tidy front yard, staring at the house. It was a red brick rectangle. The narrow end faced the street. Three steps led up to a white front door. A row of small windows ran across the top of the door. Larger windows, covered with mini-blinds, flanked the door.
The door they'd used before was actually a side door opening into a utility area. He knew that next came the kitchen, dining room and living room. The other side of the house contained two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a closet-sized library. Upstairs a single room ran the length of the house.
A detached garage sat back from the street. Ruts worn into the grass made up the driveway.
When his deputies arrived, he sighed heavily. “Sheila and
Mike, I want you to talk to the neighbors. Wade, grab your fingerprint case. I'll get the camera.”
He didn't expect to find much, and they didn't. When they gathered around Mr. Beasley's table, Tony flipped through his notes. “Anyone find anything?”
“I did learn,” Sheila began, “that he argued publicly with some of his relatives after his wife died last year. Nothing specific.”
“What did the neighbors think of him?” Tony thought of Orvan's complaints.
Mike said, “He was crusty and cranky but not too bad. He didn't mind if kids used his yard for football games. Not Mr. Sunshine, but an okay guy.”
“Wade?” Tony knew it would take fair amount of time and energy for Wade to identify the fingerprints.
“Oddly, not much to do.” He twirled his best brush. “I found some smudges on the pill bottles. None on the glasses. The dishwasher was filled with clean dishes. There were smudges on the television remote and nothing else but a few partials. I'd say Blossom is a good housekeeper.”
CHAPTER SIX
“Where's Dad?” said Jamie at breakfast. He sat at the opposite end of the table from Chris. Theo poured milk on Chris's cereal and headed for Jamie's bowl.
“You remember he got called out last night? He got home late, so try to hold down the noise when you go back upstairs, okay?”
“Okay.” Daisy sat next to Chris staring at him as he shoved a spoonful of cereal in on top of the one already in his mouth. The big dog didn't blink. “You leave today?” Milk seeped between his lips and dripped back into the bowl.
“Don't talk with food in your mouth. And the answer is yes.” Theo sipped her coffee. �
�I'll leave about noon, so after school just walk to the shop. Miss Edith will pick you up, and she'll come over in case your Dad gets called out in the night.”
“Dad's cooking, isn't he?” Jamie blew bubbles in his orange juice.
Theo took the glass from him and set it on the table. “You know he is. We talked about it the other day.”
“Well, you know, Mom,” Chris started, then swallowed before continuing, “it's good Dad can cook 'cause Miss Edith is the worst cook in town.”
Jamie joined in. “Maybe in the whole world.”
Theo smiled. “Then I suggest you encourage your dad's efforts. Edith might have to cook if you hurt his feelings.” She stood and checked a newspaper clipping attached to the refrigerator with a magnet cleverly disguised as a butterfly made from a magazine page. “Hot lunch today is tuna salad with crackers, broccoli casserole, black eyed peas and a cake square.”
“What kind of cake?” Jamie looked interested.
“It doesn't matter,” said Chris. “It's not worth eating if you have to look at their broccoli casserole. It's totally gross.” He made a melodramatic gagging sound until Theo glared at him. “I'm taking my lunch.”
“Me too. Can I fix my own, Mom?”
“Sure.” Theo handed Jamie a brown paper lunch bag. “Just remember to put in something more nutritious than chips and crackers. I'll be checking.”
Chris jumped to his feet. “I'm first in the shower.” As soon as he was out of the chair, Daisy began mopping up the milk and cereal with her tongue.
“He'll hog all the hot water, Mom.” Jamie starting moaning as he dried the apple Theo washed and handed to him.
“Go ahead, Chris, and leave some hot water.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
Tony still wasn't up by the time both boys were showered, dressed and ready for school. The boys groaned out of habit when Theo posted their lists of chores to take care of until she got home Sunday afternoon. “Both of you check Daisy's water bowl several times a day and make sure she isn't running low. Last time when I got home from a trip, her bowl was almost dry.” She gave them her best stern mother look and then gave them big hugs and kisses. “I'll see you Sunday.”
“What time?” Jamie said.
Her younger son's worried expression made her smile. “I'll be back in time to celebrate your birthday, Jamie.”
“Okay. Bye, Mom.” And they were off, letting the front door slam behind them.
Enjoying the peace, Theo cleaned the kitchen. It was a long, narrow kitchen with a fireplace at the far end and walls made of brick. It had only been partially modernized. It ran the width of the house, and even though it was too dark, it was her favorite room in the house. On lazy days, when she and the boys made cookies, she could almost swear she could feel her grandfather's presence. He had taught her to bake in the old wood burning stove. She had lived in this old house every year of her life except the college years and the Chicago years, as she thought of them, but even then it had been this house she called “home.”
She scribbled a short list of things they would need from the store. At nine o'clock, she slowly made her way upstairs to wake Tony. Sprawled on his stomach, he covered the whole bed. He looked so comfortable that it seemed cruel to awaken him. “Tony?” She touched his shoulder. He flopped onto his back and clutched the quilt with both hands, pulling it up to his nose. He didn't open his eyes.
Theo had to smile. Jamie slept the same way. “Tony, it's nine. You asked me to wake you.”
“Can't be.” His voice was muffled. “I just got to bed.”
“I know, but Ruth Ann will be calling any minute now.”
“Um.” He opened one eye and reached for her hand. “So, are you are scared of her too?” The other eye opened. “What did she ever do to you?”
“Are you kidding?” She tugged on his hand but he didn't budge. “I've been interrogated by her for years. If I'm ever arrested, I'll be able to fool the polygraph and withstand countless good cop-bad cop routines.” She couldn't keep a straight face because she and Ruth Ann were good friends.
“Think so?” Moving like lightning, Tony gently flipped her onto the bed and started kissing her neck. “Am I the good cop or bad cop?”
The telephone's shrill ring pierced the moment.
“Hell's bells!” Tony jumped out of bed. “I'll be in the shower.”
“Coward!” Theo called to his back and grabbed the telephone. “Good morning, Ruth Ann.” She warbled into the receiver. If a silence could be anything, Theo mused, this one was surprised.
“Theo, it's Jane, not Ruth Ann.” Her mother-in-law always insisted on identifying herself as if Theo hadn't known her for years. Today was no different.
“Sorry, Jane. I was sure that you were Ruth Ann calling to check on Tony.” The second the words were out of her mouth, she wanted to stuff them back in.
“Is something wrong with him?” Jane still worried as if her children were all two years old. Tony's job in law enforcement didn't put him any higher on the worry list than any of his siblings.
“No. He's fine.” Glad Jane couldn't see her, Theo rolled her eyes. “He's just running a little late. Did you call for him or me?”
“You. What time are you going up to The Lodge?”
“About noon.” Theo tucked the receiver between her ear and shoulder and started making the bed. Almost immediately she had to stop and rest. “Do you need something before I go?”
“Would you stop by the shop and pick up the birthday present for Martha? I left it there last night because I don't want her to see me carrying it in.” Jane chuckled. “I left it in the classroom.”
“Oh, thanks, I almost forgot. I need to call The Lodge and remind them about the birthday cake they're making for her.” Theo sat on the bed and leaned into the pillows. Daisy jumped up on the bed next to her and rested her big shaggy face on what was left of Theo's lap, staring up with her sad, golden retriever eyes. Obligingly, Theo began scratching her ears. Jane was a sweetheart, but sometimes she made Theo nuts. What Theo really wanted to tell Jane was she could come early and carry her own package. Jane's driving was a frequent topic of conversation. She had become so paranoid about hitting animals on the road that when the reintroduction of elk into the Smokies was discussed, she fussed around, convinced that they would attack her car. At least she would be arriving at The Lodge with Martha. “When are you two coming up?”
“About five I think. Anything special going on at your house this weekend?” Jane used her inquisition voice. It took Theo a minute to understand what she was asking. As Tony wandered back into the room, a towel wrapped around his waist, she covered the receiver with her hand and mouthed, “Your mother” and grinned when he backed away.
“It should be pretty quiet around here. The boys will entertain themselves for the most part. Tony and Chris have a special scout thing to go to this evening, and Jamie can either go with them or stay with Edith.” Daisy rolled onto her back so Theo could scratch her stomach. The dog's lips fell back, exposing a fierce looking set of teeth.
Tony lifted a questioning eyebrow. Theo was able to answer both their questions. “It's at the church at seven o'clock. Other than that, it's the same old thing around here.”
As she was hanging up the telephone, Tony asked, “What's this special scout thing?”
“You remember. They asked if you would do it since you were in the Navy and they figured you would know all about knots.”
“I forgot all about it. It's a good thing you reminded me.” He was pulling on his shirt. “Do they know I was just a cook?”
“I don't think they care, and you did agree to do it.” Planting her hands on her hips, she glared at him. “Chris is all excited to have you there, so I guess you'd better practice during the day.”
“I will, I will.” He grinned at her. “I will be the best knot teacher they've ever had. Who all is going today?”
Abandoning Daisy, Theo scooted back against the headboard. As she gave each name,
she ticked off a finger. “There's Martha and Jane, Melissa and Susan, Lucinda, Freddie, Ruth and Holly.” She looked at her fingers and shook her head. “There's more than that.”
“Doesn't Nina usually go?”
“Yes, she was planning to be there, but she's in Paris until Sunday.”
“Paris, France?”
“Yes, that Paris. It's some special one week trip for language teachers she won.” Theo sighed, only a little envious. “I don't know how she can think it's going to be more fun than retreat.”
“Don't forget Eleanor,” said Tony. “Didn't you tell me she's going?”
“I'm trying very hard to forget her.” Theo went through the names and fingers again. “Oh, of course. Dottie and Betty.”
“Betty?”
Theo could tell Tony was amazed and with good reason. Betty was almost blind, and osteoporosis was shrinking her at an alarming rate. She resembled a gnome more and more each day.
“How can she quilt?”
“She never goes anywhere without Dottie. Dottie's eyes are okay so she threads the needles for both of them. As long as the light is good and you don't care how even the stitches turn out, she can quilt up a storm.”
“Good for Betty.” He bent over and gave Theo a kiss. “I'll take you up at noon, and for heaven's sake take your cell phone with you. Last time, I called your phone six times, only to find out you left it in your workshop.”
“Okay, okay.”
By mid-morning Theo was ready to leave the house. She checked her to-do list. There were plenty of clean clothes for Tony and the boys. Plenty of food. Today was a beautiful day, and she always enjoyed the fall retreat. It was a time for her to concentrate on her own projects and not on teaching. She stacked her retreat bound bags by the front door. Her bag of clothes weighed almost nothing: pajamas, slippers, T-shirts. The most weight was in the jar of prenatal vitamins. She added a large, extra strong garbage bag filled with one quilt in progress, the large wooden hoop she used while working on it and a small fabric bag holding her thread, thimble and extra needles. Thinking she might want to rest and read for a while, she added a book. Realizing she almost forgot the box holding the embroidery supplies required by Scarlet LaFleur for her mini-class in Armenian embroidery, she waddled off to get it.
Barbara Graham - Quilted 03 - Murder by Music Page 5